Things to do in Seneghe

Seneghe, home to about 1,600 people, is a farming village on the eastern slopes of the Montiferru massif, at about 300 metres and some 20 minutes from Oristano. It is one of the great names of Sardinian extra virgin olive oil, and of poetry too: every September it hosts a festival that brings poets from around the world. Views stretch from the Campidano plain to the Sinis peninsula and the Gennargentu peaks. Ideal for lovers of real food, woodland, archaeology and living traditions.

What to see in Seneghe

The old village

Stone lanes, courtyard houses, wells and fountains lead to piazza dei Balli, the heart of the village, where people dance at Carnival. In the centre stand the large Baroque former parish church of the Immacolata Concezione, consecrated in 1893, with a 36-metre dome, the newer parish church of San Sebastiano and 17th-century Sant'Antonio da Padova.

Santa Maria de sa Rosa

At the entrance to the village, the little church of Santa Maria "de sa Rosa" has an 11th-12th-century core and is mentioned in the Condaghe of Bonarcado, one of the oldest documents written in Sardinian.

Archaeology

Around a hundred Nuragic monuments surround Seneghe, one of the highest densities on the island: the Narba corridor nuraghe, four-lobed Zinzimureddos, Campu and Littu, the giants' tombs of Serrelizzos and S'Omo de sas Zanas, plus dolmens and menhirs. The Funtana Fraigada spring dates from Roman times.

Things to do in Seneghe

The Montiferru offers scenic trails through holm oak, cork oak and holly, with woods of ancient trees such as Pabassiu and su Monte: perfect for hiking, mountain biking and horse riding. Don't miss an olive mill visit with an oil tasting, especially in autumn during the harvest. In about half an hour you reach the coast at Santa Caterina di Pittinuri and S'Archittu for a beach day. Scroll down for experiences from local operators.

History

The area was settled in the Neolithic and densely populated in Nuragic times; Phoenicians, Punics and Romans left traces, including the paving of an ancient road. In the Middle Ages Seneghe appears in the Condaghe of Bonarcado, and in 1388 its representatives signed the peace between Eleonora of Arborea and John I of Aragon. After 1410 it became an Aragonese fief until it was redeemed in 1839. In 1692 a plague killed hundreds, and Saint Sebastian has been co-patron ever since.

Food and shopping

Extra virgin olive oil from some 65,000 trees is the flagship product: in 1994 it won Italy's top award, the Ercole Olivario, and the town is a founding member of the Città dell'Olio (Olive Oil Towns) network. Try Montiferru red ox beef (bue rosso), casizolu cheese and honey.

Festivals and traditions

• San Sebastiano: 20 January, with the bonfire that opens Carnival.
• Carnival: on Shrove Tuesday villagers dance sas Andanzas.
• Holy Week: rites accompanied by a cuntrattu singing for four male voices.
• San Pietro: 29 June, with s'Ardia, a horse race.
• Santa Maria de sa Rosa: early July, the most heartfelt feast, with another ardia.
• Cabudanne de sos poetas: early September, an international poetry festival.
• Prentzas Apertas: late November, with old olive mills open for tastings.

Nearby

• Bonarcado, with the basilica of Santa Maria and the Bonacattu sanctuary.
• Santu Lussurgiu and San Leonardo de Siete Fuentes.
• Cornus and the coast at S'Archittu.

Getting there and when to go

Seneghe is about 25 km from Oristano, which has a station and port; from the SS131 take the Bauladu or Paulilatino exit. Cagliari airport is about an hour and a quarter by car, Alghero about an hour and a half. September combines poetry and mild weather; November is new-oil month.

FAQ

When is Seneghe's poetry festival?

Cabudanne de sos poetas is traditionally held in the first days of September.

Is Seneghe close to the sea?

Yes, the beaches of Santa Caterina di Pittinuri and S'Archittu are about half an hour's drive.

How many days do I need?

One day for the village, olive mills and a trail; a weekend to explore the Montiferru.